Fifth-wheel.



No. 65l,87|. Patented lune l9 I900. J. H. LITTLE.

'FI'FTH WHEEL.

(Application filed. Apr. 17, 1900.] (No Model.)

lNVE/V TOP 1 ua/w zzlzza,

y 6/ %MU%L Al/amey UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE.

JOHN H. LITTLE, OF AMESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,871, dated June 19,1900.

Application filed April 17, 1900. Serial No. 13 ,188. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN H. LITTLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Amesbury, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fifth-\Vheels; andI do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings,making a part of this specification, and to the letters of referencemarked thereon.

The present invention has for its object to provide a fifth-wheel thatwill possess strength and durability, in which the usual king-bolt isdispensed with, and the device in many essential respects is improved inthe details of construction.

The invention consists in a fifth-wheel constructed substantially asshown in the draw-.

in gs and hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a sectional elevation of a fifth-wheelconstructed in accordusual arms 0, of any preferred construction,

to connect thereto a tubular or solid-metal reach or a wooden reach, asfound desirable, any well-known or desirable form or construction ofarms and any form or construction of reach being used as found bestadapt ed to the'purpose. This plate A is cast or otherwise provided uponits under side with a segmental guide-groove or mortise a and adownwardly-extending tubular and exteriorly-screw-threaded extension D,having a circumferential shoulder 12. The base-plate B has an opening ofsufficient size to admit the screw-threaded end of thetubular extensionD, the upper surface of said plate abutting against the circumferentialshoulder b, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

Upon the upper side of the base-plate B is a segmental guide-plate E,connected thereto by a screw 0 or by any other well-known and preferredmeans, said guide-plate registering with the guide-groove or mortise aon the under side of the upper plate A. The under side of the base-plateB has a circular mortised seat (1 to receive a yielding washer e for theclamping-nut F, said washer being prefera-bly of brass, or any othermaterial found most desirable may be substituted therefor. This washerupon its inner periphery has a lip or lug, as shown atf in Fig. 1 of thedrawings, which lip or lug enters or engages a groove gin thescrew-threaded portion of the tubular extension D to prevent the washerfrom turning.

The clamping-nut F has a circumferential flange h, which bears againstthe washer e, which lessens the liability of the washer turning ineither direction. The nut F is further secured against turning byforming in the body of the nut a kerf 2', which extends horizontallyabout two-thirds of its diameter, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Ascrew-hole extends through the kerfed portion of the nut and through theflange thereof to receive a suitable screw-bolt It. When the nut F is inplace upon the screw-threaded end of the tubular extension D and thebolt is screwed up, the kerfed portion of the nut will be forcedinwardly sufficient to bind the threads thereof against the threadsofthe tubular extension, thereby preventing the nut from accidehtallyturning.

The upper plate A may be formed with webs or partitions Z to strengthenthe plate and give greater bearing=surface for the base plate B, asshown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, these webs or partitions being of anysuitable number and of any suitable form and construction.

The guide-plate E more particularly acts as a stop to limit the movementof the plate A when either end of the guide-plate comes in contact withthe end of the segmental guidegroove or mortise a. Interposed betweenthe plate E and the upper surface of the baseplate B is a packing-stripm, of leather or other suitable material, saidstrip being of such alength as to extend beyond the ends of the plate, so as to lessen thejar when the plate strikes the end wall of the groove or mortise a.

The guide and stop plate E may be conven iently removed from t ebase-plate B by removing the screws when it is desired to make anychange in the width of body of the vehiole or for any purpose foundnecessary.

The base-plate B may be formed with an extension G, of any suitableconstruction, with projections n to fit corresponding recesses in theaxle. I do not wish, however, to be confined to any special means forattaching the axle and connecting it with the plate A as any suitablemeans may be employed and any changes or modifications in the severaldetails of construction as would come within ordinary mechanicaljudgment and skill may be made without in any manner afiecting theessential features of my invention.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, isa 1. In a fifth-wheel, an upper platehaving upon its under side a screw-threaded extension and a segmentalguide-groove or mortise, a base-plate having a segmental guide plate orstop,-and asuitable nut engaging the screwthreaded extension to hold thebase plate thereon, substantially as and for the purpose described.

*2. In a fifth-wheel, an upper plate having upon its under side ascrew-threaded extension provided with a circumferential shoulder, :1base-plate fitting over and upon the extension and abutting against theshoulder and" having a mortised seat upon its under side, a screw-nuthaving a circumferential segmental guidegroove or mortise, a baseplateand means for holding the plate on the extension, and avsegmental guideplate or stop detachably connected'to the upper side of said base-plate,and a packing interposed between the base-plate and the guide plate orstop, said packing projecting beyond the ends of the segmental plate orstop to serve as a bufier, substantially as and for the purposedescribed. 7

4. In a fifth-wheel, an upper plate having upon its under side ascrew-threaded extension and a guide-groove, a base-plate having uponits upper side a guide plate or stop to engage with the guide-groove,and a screwnut havinga circumferential flange and a kerf extendingthrough the nut horizontally, and a screw-bolt extending through thekerfed portion of the nut to contract the same, substantially as and forthe purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my namein the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. LITTLE.

\Vitnesses: w

FRANK R. WHITOHER, GEO. W. OATEI

